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BI405EE Introduction to Sacred Scriptures





Introduction to the Sacred Scriptures is designed to introduce students to the Canon of Sacred Scripture. There are no prerequisites for this course; the instructor will presume that students have little to no academic knowledge of the Bible. The course will include a study of the ecclesial documents that help guide Catholic scriptural scholarship and the faithful who want to study and pray the sacred scriptures.


Course Syllabus

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Introduction to the Sacred Scriptures is designed to introduce students to the Canon of Sacred Scripture. There are no prerequisites for this course; the instructor will presume that students have little to no academic knowledge of the Bible. The course will include a study of the ecclesial documents that help guide Catholic scriptural scholarship and the faithful who want to study and pray the sacred scriptures.

STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES

The course is designed to:

  • Give students a basic knowledge of Divine Revelation and the role Sacred Scripture plays in God’s revelation to us;
  • Offer students an introduction to the Bible and its canonical structure;
  • Provide students an overview of Salvation History and how the scriptures help us to understand God’s divine plan;
  • Offer students an understanding of the types of criticism used in modern scriptural studies;
  • Provide students an overview of the Old Testament, its structure, the theology of its authors, and its place in salvation history.
  • Provide students an overview of the New Testament, its structure, the theology of its authors, and its place in salvation history.
  • Provide an overview of the ways the Church utilizes sacred scripture in the liturgy, catechesis and in the prayer of Roman Catholics.
  • Provide a background empowering students to have a deeper understanding, appreciation, and love for Sacred Scriptures and come to a fuller understanding of the critical role scriptures play in the life of an ordained clergy person or committed lay minister.

 

STRUCTURE OF THE COURSE.

This one trimester course will be divided into 12 weeks or modules. Each week students will be introduced to the module topic of the week.

  • WEEKLY LECTURES. Students are expected to watch the two or three segments for the week (either lecture or narrated power-point) at their own leisure, but before class the following week.
  • FORUM DISCUSSIONS. Students will participate in a FORUM DISCUSSION, and will be expected to post one substantive response to the week’s question.
  • REFLECTION PAPERS. Students will submit a pastoral reflection paper written to ask the question posted online.
  • MID TERM AND FINAL EXAMINATIONS. Students will be expected to successfully complete a mid-term and final examination. A study guide will be posted online for each of these examinations.
  • OFFICE HOURS. Instructors will be online at least one hour a week to assist you with questions and guidance to support understanding.

 

MODULE DESCRIPTIONS FOR INTRODUCTION TO THE SACRED SCRIPTURES:

WEEK ONE. Course introduction. We will begin with an overview of the syllabus: highlighting course requirements; outlining instructor expectations; presenting the specific goals of course. Students will be afforded an overview of the Roman Catholic theology of DIVINE REVELATION as presented in Vatican II’s Dei Verbum. Finally, we will discuss the Canon of Sacred Scripture. Building on the discussion of the pillars of divine revelation and in specific, the Word of God, the lecture will begin a detailed overview of the Bible: our most treasured sacred library. Discussion will include the history of the formulation of the canon of scripture and the councils responsible for its foundation. Finally, we will discuss the significance of oral tradition… and the types of ‘criticisms’ used in modern biblical scholarship to bring us to a fuller understanding of the Word of God and its relevance for our lives.

WEEK TWO: This week’s material includes an introduction to some of the bible’s most critical themes (Monotheism; Covenantal Theology; Blessing; God’s Chosen People etc.).

Introduction to the Old Testament. Week two introduces students to the books and primary components of the Old Testament. Discussion will include an introduction to The Pentateuch / Torah / Books of Moses and their importance to the Judeo-Christian tradition; why are the first five books of the Bible called the Book of Moses… why is the Pentateuch so important for Jews (and Christians). From there, we will discuss the significance of oral tradition… and the types of ‘criticisms’ used in modern biblical scholarship to bring us to a fuller understanding of the Word of God and its relevance for our lives. Students will then be introduced to an overview of Salvation History and given an overview of the Book of Genesis.

WEEK THREE. The Historical Books of the Bible. Joshua and to Judges: the Israelites take possession of the Promised Land; Books of Joshua and Judges; the Canaanite and ‘false’ religions; The Monarchy (Samuel and Kings); The Divided Kingdom; The Fall of the North; The Fall of the South; The Restoration: The Second Temple Period.

WEEK FOUR: The Historical Books and an Introduction to the Prophets. 1 & 2 Chronicles; Ezra; Nehemiah; Esther.  1 & 2 Maccabees; Introduction to the Prophets; Isaiah; Jeremiah.

WEEK FIVE. The Prophets and Wisdom Literature. What is prophesy; what is apocalyptic; when and where did the prophets emerge in Jewish history and why did they emerge when they did. Who are the major and who are the minor prophets? Discuss the role of the O.T. prophets in understanding the person and message of Jesus.

WEEK SIX. Introduction to the New Testament. Offer students a brief introduction to the New Testament. The class will cover the major sections of the New Testament and then proceed to an introduction of the Gospels.

WEEK 7. Covers the messages of the evangelists in the Synoptic Gospels.

WEEK EIGHT. Introduction to Johannine Literature. This class will explore the rich writings of the works of the Johannine school. Included will be a presentation as to why the Gospel of John is treated differently than the Synoptic Gospels. We will discuss John the Apostle reflecting years after the death and resurrection as he served the community on Patmos. Included will be an introduction to the themes presented in John’s Gospel. Included will be an introduction to the structure and power of John’s prologue and why it is studied as a mix of philosophy, theology and the cultures of the ancient world. Include a short presentation on ‘Apocalyptic Literature.’

WEEK NINE.  Introduction to the Life and Letters of Saint Paul. Introduction to the history of Saul of Tarsus and how he evolved into Paul the Apostle. Paul’s missionary journeys and his relationship with the other Apostles, his sufferings and his ultimate death. Will cover some of the most critical ‘Pauline Themes’ and include a short section on Paul’s contributions to Christianity and Western Culture. Explore why the Letter to the Romans is sometimes referred to as ‘Paul’s Gospel.

WEEK TEN. The Acts of the Apostles and the Early Church. Provide an overview of some of the major themes of Acts (from Jerusalem to the ends of the Earth, etc.). Speak to Luke’s ‘idyllic’ description of the Early Church, some of its early successes and challenges; Stephen and ‘The Seven;’ Philip the Evangelist; Peter and his early ministry (Peter in Samaria / Joppa / Caesarea Maritima / Rome); the transformation of Saul to Paul; the Council of Jerusalem; the Jewish-Christian to Gentile-Christian Church.

WEEK ELEVEN. The Scriptures and Prayer. Talk about the Church’s use of Scripture in its Divine Liturgy; in catechesis and faith formation; in the Liturgy of the Hours. How can an aspirant / inquirer allow the Sacred Scriptures to speak to them? Include a short overview of the Liturgy of the Hours canticles: the Benedictus / Magnificat / Simeon’s Canticle… and their significance in the spiritual life of an ordained cleric. Speak to the Munus Docendi and the symbolism of the Deacon and the Book of the Gospels.

WEEK TWELVE. The Sacred Texts of World Religions. Speak to Roman Catholicism and the criticism it has historically received as not-being a ‘scripture based’ Christian denomination (Protestant Reformation... sola scriptura etc…). How should we answer critics of the Church when they criticize our faith; how do we answer those who claim the King James version of the Bible is the only valid edition of scripture? How will I use the scriptures as an ‘apologist’ for the faith. Speak to the ‘sacred’ scriptures of other major faith groups… Judaism: The Tanakh and the Talmud; the Moslems and the Quran and the Hadiths (and bible); the Hindus and the Vedas / Upanishads; the Latter Days Saints and the Book of Mormon (and Bible); Buddhists and the Tripitaka, Mahayana Sutras and the Tibetan Book of the Dead; Taoism: the Dao De Jing… etc.

PARTICIPATION

Students will participate in every weekly forum discussion; late posts will not be accepted without a valid excuse. If you have a legitimate reason for not contributing to a forum discussion on time, you must provide appropriate documentation to the instructor within seven days to be excused. Student reflection papers will be handed in on the week that they are due. If you are unable to complete coursework due to personal challenges, please alert the instructors as soon as possible.

CLASS MATERIALS AND ACCESS

  • Kugler, Robert and Patrick Hartin. An Introduction to the Bible. Eerdmans; Illustrated
    edition (July 8, 2009), ISBN-13: 978-0802846365

In addition to the one book (purchase), all course materials are available through the course
management pageAll course materials are available through the course management page. We will be using the following texts, most of which are available online for free:

  • New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE)
  • Dei Verbum
  • Gaudate et Exsultate
  • Lumen Gentium
  • Gaudium et Spes

 

 

 







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